80s - Labour Flashcards
In 1979-83 what was the state of the Labour party?
Close to political oblivion.
What were the 2 contributing factors to the unelectability of the party?
Internal divisions boiling over and the formation of the SDP.
Who was elected as leader of the party in 1980?
Michael Foot, over the obvious choice of Denis Healey
What happened at the 1981 Blackpool Conference?
Healey beat out Tony Benn in the deputy leadership election.
When and how were the SDP formed?
Jan 1981, when the ‘Gang of Four’, Owen, Rodgers, Williams & Jenkins issued the ‘Limestone Declaration’ which announced the formation of the Council for Social Democracy.
How many MPs followed the Gang of Four and why?
28 - believed they had been driven out by extremist leadership.
They believed that it was easier to form a separate, centrist party than it was to fight the extremist leadership, Benn in particular.
What was the catalyst for the formation of the SDP?
The Wembley Conference, which is usually left-centric but was particularly dominated by hardline Leftists in Jan 81, and convinced moderates such as Shirley Williams to give up on the Labour party.
How did the SDP begin to impact British politics?
Williams won a sensational by-election in the ‘safe’ Cons seat of Crosby in November 81.
Jenkins won Glasgow Hillhead in March 82.
The Liberal Democrats beat Labour in the working class area of Bermondsley.
What was the formal agreement that the SDP formed?
The SDP-Liberal Alliance (The Alliance).
They agreed to work together in the ‘83 and ‘87 elections.
What was the result of The Alliance?
Despite leadership differences and tense relationships, they overtook Labour as the credible threat to the Conservatives in the 1987 Election.
How did the demographic of Labour voters change?
They couldn’t rely on working class support.
Press coverage universally hostile.
Some Lab voters became ‘Thatcherite Conservatives’ and some voted Lib/SDP
Many abstained.
Why was it difficult to turn around after this collapse in popularity?
Demographic change loosened traditional loyalties and some supported the Far Left in attacking Lab leadership.
Unions were no longer a source of strength and Lab solidified themselves as unable to lead government.
What did pundits quote at the time about Labour?
That their decline was signifying of a ‘Fundamental Realignment of British Politics’.
When did Kinnock take over from Foot?
In 1983, just as Lab was beginning to be marginalised by Thatcherism and the SDP.
Who did Kinnock take on in 1983?
The Far Left with Militant Tendencies, Bennites and the union leaders.
